Losing Power

Take care then that the light in you is not dark. Luke 11:35

People all around the Mid-West have been losing their power due to the devastating weather that has moved across that area. I have a friend who has one of those old cars like all of us used to have, and it has been losing power. I’ve got an old tractor down on the farm, and when we get the brush hog into the tall grass, the power loss is pretty significant.

My real concern, however, is the power loss in the family of God. We were designed to be light in darkness (see Matthew 5:14), yet the darkness is overwhelming. I think the danger spoken of in Luke 11:35 has come to fruition. We have been left in this world to impact society, our neighborhood, our family, and everyone with whom we come in contact. Somehow we seem to have lost the power to be about that business.

I am convinced we lose power because we allow disobedience and apathy to fill our life rather than the presence of God. Whenever the Spirit of God is in control of our thoughts and actions, we have sufficient power to do whatever is required. Reading the Scripture gives us example after example of how God uses his people to perform mighty works and exploits. The same Scripture show us example after example of those who allowed distraction and dissolution to damage, and in many cases, destroy their ability to be what they were designed and called to be. When we are not what we are, we can never do what we do.

The should be no question in our minds that we are not the actors but rather the vehicles in this process. It is the life of Christ in us that produces righteousness, faith, and power. Paul the Apostle said, “It is not I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” (see Galatians 2:20)

There is no reason that those who belong to Christ should ever suffer from power loss. We need to hear and repeat the words of Jude, half-brother of Jesus, who said, He (Christ) “is able to keep you from stumbling, and present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy.” (Jude 1:24)

Let me encourage you to find time alone with God. Let me urge you to spend time as a family considering and learning the claims of the Scripture. Let me emphasize the importance of gathering with the family of God to celebrate, minister, and be ministered to. Therein lies the power.